Comments on: A tribute to Ian Little, 1949-2026

By: Michael Sol Owen

Michael Sol Owen — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 21:00:24 +0000

A coincidence re-introduced me to Ian in 1999. My daughter Llinos Owen was a pupil at Chethams (1998 -2000) Ian was her English teacher.
I met Ian for the 1st time in 1969 when we were both at Bangor University, living in Neuadd Richel, together with two others, we formed a rather diverse and eclectic group, sometimes talking and discussing until the early house of the morning. Ian and I would venture occasionally to Cwm Idwal trudging through the snows around the lake. Finishing in University is followed by a diaspora, where close friends disappear and connections severed. But after meeting in 1999 we began a regular, twice a year correspondence. His letters carefully crafted, a wordsmith, written in a small neat hand were always interesting. He recounted his visits to Ireland and journeys to small churches, grand buildings or villages. These letters were accompanied by photos or post cards, a quote or suitable reference.

By: Michael Sol Owen

Michael Sol Owen — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 18:04:36 +0000

A coincidence re-introduced me to Ian in 1999. My daughter Llinos Owen was a pupil at Chethams (1998 – 2000). Ian was her English teacher.
I met Ian for the first time in 1969 when he and I were at Bangor University, both living in Neuadd Reichel (men’s student accommodation), together with two others, we formed a rather diverse and eclectic group from different backgrounds and experiences sometimes talking and discussing until early hours of the morning. Ian and I would venture occasionally on the bus to Ogwen – Nant Ffrancon and trudge through the snow around Llyn Idwal Lake.
Finishing in university is followed by a diaspora, where close friends disappear and connections are severed. After meeting Ian in 1999 we began a regular, twice a year correspondence by letter. His letters carefully crafted, a wordsmith, written in a small neat hand were always interesting. He recounted his visits to Ireland and journeys to small churches, grand buildings or villages. These letters were accompanied by photos or postcards and a quote or suitable reference.

By: Hannah Yip

Hannah Yip — Sat, 21 Mar 2026 00:14:02 +0000

I was very sorry indeed to hear about Mr Little’s passing. I’ll always be indebted to him for introducing me to T. S. Eliot, Milton, D. H. Lawrence, and many others! Thank you for a wonderful tribute.

By: Ian Palmer

Ian Palmer — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 12:47:32 +0000

Ian Little was primus inter pares within a remarkable group of teaching staff I was lucky to study under during my years at Chet’s. Thanks to Ian I went on to read English at Cambridge, and I can state 100% that the person I am today was shaped and formed in his classroom. Lessons with him were witty, erudite, mind-bending even, and his primary interest was in making us rounded, well-read, thoughtful individuals, and not exam machines. He adored literature and “lesson plans” were anathema to him. He would simply open the book we were studying at a random page, put his finger on a sentence, read it out, ask us to parse it, and then conversation would flow taking in literature, philosophy, art, music, religion (his oft repeated reference to our “post-lapsarian world” would never be too far away), plus witty historical facts (he had a soft spot for Mad Prince Ludwig of Bavaria). I remember one lesson which simply began around the question of why William Golding had spelled the word “lightening” rather than “lightning”.

My annotated copies of “The Tempest”, “The Importance of Being Earnest” (not “Ernest”!), “The Spire”, “Richard II”, “Paradise Lost”, “The Go-Between” and many more, are treasured possessions.

He himself was deeply inspired by his colleague and mentor Dr Trevor Donald an equally legendary Chet’s figure, who I fear is no longer with us.

I stayed in touch with him over the years, and I regret that I did not follow up with him when the annual Christmas Card did not arrive last year.

I have so many, many happy memories of him both as a teacher and as a friend, and he will forever be in my heart.

“May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest”.

By: Chiyan Wong

Chiyan Wong — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 16:39:03 +0000

what a beautifully written tribute. Mr. Little’s ethos transcended the subject that he taught. Thank you.

By: Lee Wright

Lee Wright — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 13:45:21 +0000

Mr Little instilled a love of learning for its own sake that’s remained long after the few years I was fortunate enough to have him as my English teacher.

Admittedly, I was a terrible student at the time but, somehow, he always made you feel like it was possible to live up to his example of good moral sense and intellectual curiosity.

After doing poorly in my A-Levels (I was far too focused on music), I started reading voraciously, and ended up giving up music to pursue philosophy, mathematics, and artificial intelligence, partly because he showed me that I ought to do better and, crucially, that I could.

We always seemed to go for coffee at the station at the same time, nearly every day; I’m sure he thought nothing of it, but the little chats we shared there meant a lot to me and helped shape me into the person I am today. I’m sure thousands of other former students have similar stories. Thank you, Sir.

By: Rachel Carby (nee Barnes)

Rachel Carby (nee Barnes) — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 21:18:15 +0000

I am so sad to hear of Mr Little‘s passing! He was definitely one of my favourite teachers! I remember his coffee cups very clearly as he’d always turn up with one to our lessons (from the station!) I loved his lessons – an incredible man.

By: Simon Scott

Simon Scott — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 21:04:47 +0000

I remember Ian. A lovely eulogy.

By: Mark Cresswell

Mark Cresswell — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 20:44:32 +0000

A wonderful man and English teacher who did his best to give me a proper grounding in the world of literature. Thank you Ian, you are fondly remembered.

By: Victoria Davidson (nee Mitchell-Luker)

Victoria Davidson (nee Mitchell-Luker) — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 20:40:00 +0000

It amazes me to think that decades after I wandered through Tennyson with Mr Little for A level English in 1987, he was still there helping the next lot through. It’s also a shock to realise how comparatively young he must have been. I will be forever grateful for the love of English that he and Dr Donald inculcated in me.